The Temporary Shortage Occupation List is transitioning from the Immigration Shortage List, which will soon be abolished. The ISL (Immigration Shortage List), which was introduced in April 2024, replacing the SOC (Shortage Occupation List), is a list of jobs for skilled worker visas. These are jobs for which there is a shortage of local labour in the UK. The MAC (Migration Advisory Committee) is the body that identifies which occupations have a labour shortage and hence recommends occupations that should be placed on the ISL.
To sponsor workers for eligible occupations on the Immigration Shortage List on the skilled worker route have to meet the discounted salary threshold. Skill level required for these jobs is also at a reduced level of RQF Level 3-5 (below degree level).
ISL is further being replaced by TSL (Temporary Shortage List). TSL is also a temporary arrangement. Both ISL and TSL will expire on 31 December 2026, and the government reserves the right to shorten the period.
The Immigration White Paper, released in May 2025, set out that the Temporary Shortage List will replace the Immigration Shortage List. Jobs below RQF level 6 must be listed on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List in order to be sponsored.
The White Paper says, “For occupations with a skills requirement of RQF 3-5 (below degree level) where there have been long term shortages, we will only permit use of the Points-Based immigration system on a time limited basis where the MAC has advised it is justified, where there is a workforce strategy in place, and where employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce.”
Under the transitional arrangement, occupations below RQF level 6 continue to be eligible for the UK Skilled Worker route where they appear on either:
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION RULES (HC 997) released on 1 July 2025 states the Temporary Shortage List that includes the following occupations with their occupation code:
o Industrial and product designers
o Packaging designers
o Performance make-up artists
o Set designers
o Visual merchandising managers and designers
o Business support officers
o Business systems analysts
o Contract administrators
o Clinical coders
o Clinical trials administrators
o Research coordinators
o Box office assistants
o Grants officers
o Mortgage administrators
o Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations)
o Treasury assistants
o Builders
o Divers
o Fence erectors
o Industrial climbers
o Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators
o Steel fixers and underpinners
The Immigration Salary List will be phased out in future changes to Immigration Rules. Entries on the Temporary Shortage List, as the name suggests, are time-limited and conditional. Both lists will expire on 31 December 2026 (except adult social care occupation, for which there are specific, separate arrangements).
The UK Government reserves the right to shorten the expiry date of these lists. The MAC will review and suggest future contents (and visa terms and conditions) of the Temporary Shortage List. Occupations will only be included or retained on the list where the MAC has advised it is justified, where there is a workforce strategy in place, and where employers seeking to recruit from abroad are committed to playing their part in increasing recruitment from the domestic workforce.
The Temporary Shortage List will impact UK sponsors and employers seeking to recruit overseas workers into roles at RQF Level 3–5. This means the jobs at RFQ level 3-5 will only be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship if they are included on the TSL. More importantly, jobs included on TSL will be temporary, conditional, and more tightly controlled when compared with the previous Immigration Salary List.
UK government has launched the Temporary Shortage List as a strategic solution to UK labour shortages in critical sectors. The TSL list with eligible occupations and their occupation codes has been released on 1 July 2025. TSL has been launched with tight restrictions and for a limited period ending on 31 December 2026. This means, employers will be able to assign certificate of sponsorships for TSL job roles only until 31 December 2026. Therefore, sponsors in the UK must act swiftly to adjust recruitment strategies and compliance procedures.
Please note that there are no salary threshold discounts for occupations listed on TSL. All sponsors on the Skilled Worker route must meet the full salary requirements as outlined in the Immigration Rules.
If you need more advice on applying for a UK skilled worker visa or if your business needs to sponsor overseas workers, you can contact us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261
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